What Mike Kennedy said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my fellow Utahns to mourn and celebrate the life and sudden passing of Captain Spencer Long of Provo Fire & Rescue; his wife, Katrina; and three sons, Reid, Thayne and Gage.”

“Mr. Speaker, right now as we stand in this Chamber, devastating wildfires are tearing across our lands. I thank the brave crews who are working around the clock on the front lines.”

“A birthday like that invites reflection. I have found myself considering what a privilege it is to be an American, on what it actually means to be one, and on the history that all of us get to claim as our own.”

“Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago this week, the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs that the Constitution contains no right to an abortion. The Court returned this question to the people and their elected representatives.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an inspiring small business owner from Utah, Chelsea Beutler, whose work reminds us of the beauty that can bring people together, even in divided times.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7726, the Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026. Before I came to Congress, I spent my career as a physician in Utah caring for working families.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, we have an opportunity to unlock one of America's greatest untapped energy resources and invest in our Nation's future. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5631, the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Westerman and his outstanding staff for their help in getting this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the License to Drill Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, with all politics aside, I think we can agree that despite war and other terrible situations, there are still good things in this world--things like courage, things like sacrifice, and fighting spirit.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Westerman for the opportunity to speak on this bill, and I also thank Ranking Member Huffman and my colleague Congresswoman Elfreth for their willingness to hear this bill on the House floor today.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend two of our Nation's finest who saved a life that otherwise would surely have been lost. On March 15, a man driving through Florida experienced a medical emergency that caused him to crash into a shallow body of water, fully submerging the vehicle.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Gottheimer and Officer Rutherford for organizing this Special Order hour. It is a reflection of the good things that happen here in Congress, Madam Speaker, the fact that Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent, a volunteer, and a good friend, Lyman, on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Lyman has volunteered his time and energy on behalf of the people of Utah for many years.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Colorado and my friend from Alabama for the opportunity to speak in favor of the FIRE Act. I appreciate the important work that is being done, which is critical for my home State of Utah.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight that March is designated as National Kidney Month to focus on kidney disease awareness. As a family doctor, I know firsthand how debilitating this disease can be, especially for those needing to go on dialysis while facing the agonizing wait for a kidney transplant.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Kenneth John Brown, a marine, teacher, husband, and man of deep faith who recently passed away at 102 years old. Ken Brown was just 20 when he landed on Iwo Jima, where he proudly served his country.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jack), for the privilege of being able to speak on this really important topic today. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule to put a stop to yet another Democrat/Schumer shutdown and fund the Department of Homeland Security at this critical time.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating condition affecting more than 6.5 million women across the United States. Despite its prevalence, it often goes undiagnosed for years.”

“Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate something truly remarkable happening in Utah. It is the reconstruction of the Salt Lake Temple. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like myself, this is a sacred house of worship.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in support of the SAVE America Act. Consider the simple realities of life. In this country, you are required to show an ID to drive a car, to board an airplane, or to cash a paycheck.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Florida, Mr. Haridopolos, for organizing this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Housing for the 21st Century Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the epidemic of waste, fraud, and abuse that is ripping off taxpayers with impunity. Too often, Congress forgets that every dollar of government money collected comes from an American who worked hard for it.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of symbolism that is happening at this point. I appreciate the bipartisanship. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Missouri for this time. As a family practice doctor for more than 25 years, I hear directly from my patients about the skyrocketing cost of insurance and prescription drugs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, which will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not funding the evil practice of transgender child mutilation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to protect the children of Utah and commend the 25 other States that have stood up for their kids, as well. I urge all of my colleagues to follow the scientific evidence and stop funding these horrific procedures on kids.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for yielding and leading this important discussion on how Republicans are focusing on making healthcare more affordable for hardworking American families.”

“Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, all Bronze and Catastrophic ACA Marketplace plans are now considered high-deductible plans, allowing more people to contribute to health savings accounts.”

“Mr. Speaker, in 2027, beginning in April and ending in October, the Salt Lake Temple, which is to my left, will be open for public tours. All are welcome, with 3 million to 5 million visitors expected during this historic event that will be important to Utahns and especially to those who will again worship and serve there.”

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many visitors associate the temple with Utah's capital city. The temple is built of native granite and took 40 years to complete, with the goal to construct it so it would last throughout time.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025. Utah is in a wildfire crisis. Our unique environment makes wildfires a constant danger.”

“As the only Four Corners State to not have a SWERI facility, it is only right for Utah to have a dedicated hub focused on the wildfire challenges facing Utah and the surrounding States.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate both the Corner Canyon and the Lone Peak High School football teams who recently faced off in the Utah 6A State Championship.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to highlight the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pioneers began constructing the temple in 1853. What they created over the course of 40 years is one of the most remarkable feats of engineering for its time.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of my alma mater, Brigham Young University. Since its founding in 1875, BYU has stood firm as a fundamental institution of learning and innovation in the State of Utah.”

“Mr. Speaker, 9 days ago in my district, a loving husband and father of two children, a public figure who debated vigorously conservative values and a representative for free speech, was assassinated by a deranged coward who felt that violence was the only way to deal with voices that he opposed.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Indiana for yielding me her time. Mr. Speaker, just days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated by an act of deranged cowardice.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise and recognize a proud U.S. Army veteran, Lisa Duckworth, who was recently named Military Friendly's 2025 Veteran of the Year for the State of Utah.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate 175 years since the establishment of Pleasant Grove, Utah. Established on September 13, 1850, by pioneers, Pleasant Grove is located in an idyllic location, nestled at the base of the majestic snowcapped mountains of the Wasatch Front.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Representative Bice's Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, and I applaud my colleague, Mr. Knott, for his role in this important piece of legislation.”

“I thank Mr. Barrett and Mr. Figures for their support of this really important bill. This is a commonsense bill that fixes a broken system and restores accountability within the Federal Protective Service.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to congratulate the Price, Utah, Battle 13u youth baseball team. This talented group of 13-year-old baseball players from Carbon and Emery Counties won the Pacific Southwest Regional, advancing to the Babe Ruth World Series.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the important benefits the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered to Utah's businesses and workers. Madam Speaker, we had the opportunity to be in our districts for the past month, and I had the privilege of meeting with my constituents in Utah's Third District.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize some of the impacts the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on my State. By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the House Republican majority kept its promise to preserve the 2017 tax cuts and provided further relief for American families.”

“Mr. Speaker, on February 25, 1846, beleaguered residents of Nauvoo, Illinois, began leaving their homes and farms behind, crossing the frozen Mississippi River by ferry and wagon to escape persecution.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Georgia, for this opportunity to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 and H.R. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the city of Provo, Utah, for earning the top rank as America's number one best-run city. In WalletHub's 2025 study, Provo outperformed 148 other large U.S. cities, excelling at financial stability, public services, safety, infrastructure, and education.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am an occupational therapist. I helped people live the fullest life they could given the cards they were dealt. I worked at a school for children with disabilities and a nursing home, helping seniors maintain their independence.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the time you have granted me to acknowledge a stunning accomplishment by one of our high school athletes in Utah's Third District, Jane Hedengren.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and congratulate the outstanding Whitehorse High School team from Montezuma Creek, Utah, for achieving national distinction in the Capitol Hill Challenge.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of our Nation's aviation professionals and their need for mental health support. Scientific studies of aviation professionals reveal that many are hesitant to seek mental health treatment due to fears of professional consequences.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the yielding of that time. Mr. Speaker, as a family physician, I have seen both the benefits and issues associated with Medicaid.”

“Mr. Speaker, there are 1.4 million illegal immigrants, 1.2 million who are ineligible for Medicaid, and 4.8 million able-bodied adults who choose not to work. It is time we crack down on fraud, waste, and abuse on such a vital program for those who need it.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Knott for shining much-needed light on this issue and for the opportunity today to speak about some of the consequences of the Biden-Harris administration's irresponsible actions over the past 4 years and how Congress and the Trump administration are working to claw our way back to sanity for the United States of America.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the passage of my legislation, the United States Research Protection Act. H.R. 1318 is a critical piece of legislation that seeks to protect the future of our Nation's scientific and technological advancement.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to congratulate the Duchesne High School girls' wrestling team on their remarkable achievement of winning the 1A/2A State championship. I also recognize their coach, Shane Ivie, for being honored with the prestigious title of Outstanding Coach of the Year.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Florida, our new chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, for inviting me to join him tonight.”

“Winner with their development of the ``Production of Steel from Lunar Regolith through Carbonyl Iron Refining'' project. As the space industry continues to grow and evolve, Utah is at the heart of it all, leading through ingenuity, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to the future.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce myself as I undertake this awesome responsibility to serve the citizens of Utah's Third Congressional District. My name is Mike Kennedy, and I am both a physician and an attorney.”